Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 Days)

5.0 (3 reviews) Cusco, Peru
Duration5 days
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 9 travelers

Overview

If you’re looking for an alternative to the busy and often booked-up Inca Trail, look no further than this 5-day Salkantay Trail trekking tour from Cusco. Suited to travelers with a good level of fitness, this hike takes you through glaciers, high jungle, rushing rivers, and Andean mountain villages. The tour culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World. All meals, overnight camping or lodge accommodation, and entrance fees are included.

What's included

  • 01 Night's accommodation in an ensuite room in Aguas Calientes
  • The following meals: 4 x lunch, 4 x dinner, 4 x breakfast (optional vegeterian).
  • Chairs and dining tables.
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu.
  • Transfer from Cusco to Mollepata.
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu citadel.
  • Breakfast
  • Roomy dining tent and kitchen.
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Professional bilingual guide, cook and assistants.
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  • The bus to/from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu ($12/way)
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Personal care items.
  • Tips for the guide and the horsemen.
  • Lunch and dinner on the last day.
  • Huayna Picchu or Mountain Machu Picchu (+30 usd)
  • (Cocalmayo Hot Spring) is possible to pay on the site

What to expect

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata - Soraypampa - Humantay lake
  1. Humantay Lake
    10h · Admission ticket included
    We will begin our adventure by picking up each passenger from their respective hotels before embarking on a 4 hour bus ride. Halfway through the ride, we will stop in Mollepata at an altitude of 2,900m for 20 or 30 minutes break, then continue with our journey directly to the last bus stop in Challacancha where we will meet our porters and horses who will carry the equipment. and were we start our hiking tour. to begin our walk toward Soraypampa at 3,900m. When we arrive in Soraypampa, we will set-up base camp from where we can enjoy the beautiful views of Salkantay´s snow peak. and where will have break for lunch. After lunch, we will visit Humantay Lake at 4,200m before beginning our return to base camp in Soraypampa around 5:00pm. where our camping team will be waiting for our travelers with a delicious dinner.
Day 2: Soraypampa - Huayracpampa - Chaullay
  1. Salkantay Trail
    10h · Admission ticket included
    Early in the morning we will take our breakfast and then we will start a 3 hour hike until we reach the highest point of our expedition, the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m.a.). From there, we walk towards Wayracpunku (Huayra Pampa), for our next meal. Afterwards, the trip will continue going to the high jungle where we will observe large trees with their arms extended over the streams, all full of bromeliads and orchids. This walk will last around 5 hours to reach our camp in Chaullay (2,900 m.a.s l.) Where we will have dinner and rest
Day 3: Chaullay - La Playa - Santa Teresa
  1. 10h · Admission ticket included
    After having breakfast around 6:30 am, we will head towards Sahuyaco (La Playa 2,080 masl). We will have lunch in this place. Then we continue our trip in our transport to Santa Teresa (1,550 masl) where we will set up our base camp and we will enjoy a relaxing reward in Cocalmayo (Hot Spring) Then we will have a traditional Peruvian dinner and rest well to prepare for the next day.
Day 4: Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)
  1. Machu Picchu HotSprings
    10h · Admission ticket not included
    The next morning, after a good breakfast, the bus waits for us. Those who booked in advance will do zip-lining. The rest of the group will go to the Hidroelectrica meeting point where the entire group will join for lunch after the activities. After a bit of relaxation in this place, we will continue walking along the railway that leads through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We walk for about 3 hours and you will find beautiful waterfalls, different ecological farms and possibly the curious wildlife of your arrival in the region (arrival fixed around 4:00 p.m.). Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we will all meet at a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have an informative session about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you can visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
  1. Machupicchu
    10m · Admission ticket included
    We get ready around 4:00 am to climb to Machu Picchu, the trek will follow an ascending path crossing the high jungle, just in time to see the spectacular sunrise. After passing the control entrance around 6:00am our group will have a private guided tour for 2 hours in the Inca citadel, later passengers will be free to enjoy Machu Picchu on their own. Late in the afternoon, according to the departure time of the train, the group will descend walking to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo where everybody will be picked up and transferred to Cusco. The group has to be at the train station at least 30min before departure. The Salkantay Trek finishes on the square of San Francisco, Cusco.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

esquina de plaza de armas y iglesia de triunfo por el paddys pab

End point

esquina de plaza de armas y iglesia de triunfo por el paddys pab

Additional information

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

5.0 (3)
From
$850.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
More activities in Cusco
From
$850.00 per person
Check availability